Top prize to Philippine movie

MANILA (SE): Ignacio de Loyola has become the first Philippine-produced movie to receive the Best Film Award at the Mirabile Dictu International Catholic Film Festival in the Vatican.

The story of the life of the founder of the Society of Jesus, the organiser of the festival, Liana Marabini, said, “The most important thing to say about Ignacio de Loyola is that… it is the first time in the history of the festival that this happened. There were no discussions about it. The members of the jury appreciated the script, the actors, the decorations, the costumes, the music of the film: in one word, everything.”

Producers, Pauline Mangilog-Saltarin and Ernestine Tamana, were in Rome to accept the Silver Fish Trophy. “It was truly a humbling experience to be called on stage to receive the award. Ignacio de Loyola was made with blood, sweat and tears, literally!” CBCP News quoted Saltarin as saying.

“We share this important recognition with our director and screenwriter, Paolo Dy, and the whole cast, crew and production staff who made this film with so much passion and grace and turned it into a genuine labour of love.”

Produced by Jesuit Communications Foundation Philippines and top-billed by Spanish actor Andreas Muñoz, in 2016 it became the first Filipino film to premiere at the Vatican.

A successful box office in The Philippines and around the world won it the Audience Choice Award at the 12th Cine Con Valores Film Festival.

The producer, Father Emmanuel Alfonso sj, added, “We are greatly honoured by this award. It comes as a real surprise because the film was our first attempt at filmmaking. We therefore share this with all those who struggled with us to be able to produce this film. We hope that more people will be inspired by the example of St. Ignatius!”